Demetrious Johnson Says The “Paycheck” Keeps Him Motivated, During Championship Run

Demetrious Johnson is one of the most dominant champs in UFC history, but “Mighty Mouse” is as motivated as ever to keep racking up wins.

Yes, not only is Johnson one of the best pound-for-pound fighters the game has ever known, he’s defended the UFC’s flyweight title eight times…Only Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre defended their belts more (nine and ten times respectively). Since Johnson has already defeated many of the top flyweights in the UFC, TUF 24 will determine who will challenge him next. That’s what happens when you’ve defeated the number one contender – Joseph Benavidez – not one, but twice…

“For the paycheck. If youdon’t take the fighter seriously, you didn’t take the paycheck seriously. You lose someone and then the zeros on the back of the paycheck go down.”

Fair enough. Hopefully more casual fans will start coming around to what a special athlete / fighter Johnson is, and he’ll have some major paydays. Of course, that usually requires having a contender / rival who folks believe has a good change of winning. Or at least, can make for an entertaining fight.

Johnson will fight the winner of TUF 24 in December. No date has been set. The season is being coached by Benavidez and Henry Cejudo, the latter of whom, Johnson has also defeated.